How-To Guides

How to Get A Library Card

You may use a Merlin card from any Northern Waters Library Service member library at the Winchester Public Library. If you do not have a Merlin card, you need to fill out an application and provide a photo id. If you are under the age of 18, you must have a parent or guardian sign the application. You must have a Merlin card in order to check out materials from the Winchester Public Library.

How to Request Materials

You may place a hold on books or other circulating materials from any library in the Northern Waters Library System by going to the Merlin catalog online from any computer with Internet access. You may also ask library staff and volunteers for assistance.

You may also request materials from other libraries throughout the state. Ask library staff for assistance in using WISCAT.

How to Use the Catalog

How to Use the Internet

Internet access is available for your laptop via WIFI in the library and community room during library hours and continually in the parking lot.

High Speed Internet access is available on our public access computers during regular library hours. Usage is restricted to 30 minutes if others are waiting for a computer. Users must be 12 years of age or older, and children under age 18 must have written consent from a parent or legal guardian. In order to use public access computers, Internet users must have a signed Internet Usage Agreement on file.

The Winchester Public Library does not monitor and has no control over the information accessed through the Internet and cannot be held responsible for its content. The Internet is a global entity with a highly diverse user population, so library patrons use it at their own discretion.

All Internet resources accessible through the library are provided equally to all library patrons. Therefore, parents or guardians, NOT the library staff or volunteers, are solely responsible for the information their children access through the Internet. Parents and guardians are responsible for monitoring and supervising their children when using the Internet.

The Winchester Public Library assumes NO responsibility for any loss or damage to data files, software files, or computer hardware or for any injury or loss that may result from the use of information,m software or data files obtained from the library's computers.

THE INTENTIONAL CREATION OR SPREAD OF A COMPUTER VIRUS, VIOLATION OF COPYRIGHT, TRADEMARK, LIBEL, SLANDER, OR ANY OTHER LAWS INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO PRIVACY WHILE USING PUBLIC ACCESS COMPUTERS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. ANY WINCHESTER PUBLIC LIBRARY USER WHO ENGAGES IN ANY OF THE AFOREMENTIONED ACTS WILL IMMEDIATELY LOSE INTERNET PRIVILEGES AND WILL BE REPORTED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES FOR ACTS THAT CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF ANY LAW.